There is no person in the world who has never been bitten by insects. These representatives of the invertebrate class widely inhabit the planet. Insects belong to the order of arthropods and are represented by different species. The consequences of their bite are different, it all depends on belonging to a certain unit and the individual reaction of the human body. For some people, even a mosquito bite can be fatal. How to relieve an itch from an insect bite?
Danger insects
The main danger for people who live in the middle latitudes is the bites of insects such as bees, wasps and bumblebees. Usually they do not bite to provide themselves with food, but for defense. In this case, poison enters the human body containing active proteins and substances - strong allergens. Redness and swelling appear in the area of the bite. Different insects attack a person in different ways.
How to relieve itching from an insect bite? This will be written later, but for now it is necessary to list their most dangerous types. According to existing statistics, 4 times more people die from bee and wasp stings than from snake bites.
A person, in addition to receiving negative feelings, is at risk of being infected with an infection:
- malaria mosquitoes can cause malaria;
- lice - relapsing fever and rickettsiosis;
- fleas - bubonic plague;
- ticks - Lyme disease;
- spiders (black widow) - serious complications, sometimes even death.
In the case of a bite of these insects, a person needs to seek medical help in order to avoid the development of serious diseases.
What symptoms accompany insect bites?
How to relieve itching and redness with insect bites? This will be discussed further, and now we will tell you what symptoms in this case arise. Most bites are accompanied by:
- swelling and swelling;
- pain
- itching and skin irritation.
Despite the unpleasant sensations, it is impossible to comb the skin at the site of the bite due to a possible infection. Sometimes, in addition to a local reaction, a general one occurs - a rash throughout the body, loss of consciousness and respiratory failure. Death is sometimes possible.
An allergic reaction can be divided into moderate and acute. In the first case, no special measures should be taken. The following symptoms occur: pain, itching, swelling, fever in the area of the bite.
In case of an acute reaction of the body, urgent medical care is necessary, because it is possible:
- palpitations;
- dizziness;
- skin rash;
- respiratory failure;
- lowering blood pressure.
Such a reaction to an insect bite is rare, but carries a danger to life. Sometimes 10 minutes is enough to cause anaphylactic shock, then loss of consciousness and death.
Bites of bees, wasps and hornets
Insects such as bees, wasps and hornets usually bite in the event of self-defense. The peculiarity of wasps and hornets is that they can sting several times. Together with the sting that has got into the skin, toxic substances enter the body. Therefore, it must be immediately removed from the wound.
The bite site turns red, swells, pain appears, and sometimes the body temperature rises. Fever and lethargy join these symptoms. Usually this condition occurs in a person with several bites.
How to relieve itching after an insect bite? If the hand is damaged, it is necessary to remove all jewelry and remove the sting. Be sure to squeeze out the liquid from the wound. To remove the stinger, it is necessary to scrape it off with a solid object, but do not try to pull.
If a person is not allergic to the bites of such insects, it will be enough for him to drink an antihistamine and treat the wound with ammonia or ethyl alcohol. A glass of warm tea will also be useful.
Antihistamines are best taken until the swelling subsides. If you experience pain, you must take "Ibuprofen" according to the instructions.
How to remove itching from an insect bite folk remedies? In this case, you can use the following methods:
- mash a sheet of dandelion and attach to the wound;
- treat the affected area with peppermint juice;
- cut the raw bulb and attach to the sore spot for the night.
In some people, individual intolerance to the poison of these insects appears after a certain time. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the body and in case of nausea, high fever and rash throughout the body, immediately seek medical help.
What to do with mosquito bites?
After insect bites, not only itching appears. There is a danger of contracting malaria from them. More than 2 thousand species of mosquitoes are known, but only some of them are carriers of this disease.
Female suck blood when it comes time to lay eggs. After all, a hungry female can lay 50 eggs, and a well-fed one - 300.
How to relieve itching from an insect bite at home? The effects of bites can be reduced as follows:
- grease the bite with a solution of soda;
- treat the wound with boric acid or tincture of calendula for alcohol;
- with many bites, take an antihistamine;
- anoint the affected area with Fenistil.
Folk remedies include:
- processing wounds with sour cream;
- lubrication of the bite with an asterisk balm.
What are the best remedies for relieving itching after insect bites? Gels and ointments of local action showed themselves well, for example, Psilo-Balsam, Deta or La Cree cream. The necessary medicines must be present in the first-aid kit if a trip to the forest or to the lake is planned.
What to do if a spider has bitten?
In nature, there are spiders, the bite of which is fatal for humans. If such an incident occurs, the victim must be urgently taken to a medical institution.
Not every insect poses a threat to humans, the most dangerous are karakurt, tarantulas and brown hermit spiders.
If one of these insects has bitten, it is necessary:
- wash the wound with soap and water;
- splint on a limb so that the poison does not spread quickly throughout the body;
- pull a leg or arm over the wound with a tourniquet;
- make a cold compress in the bite area;
- drink plenty of fluids to free the body of poison.
Urgent need to go to the hospital:
- if the victim is a child;
- if after a bite the condition worsens sharply.
It is necessary to introduce an antidote in case of an attack of a brown hermit or a karakurt.
When biting spiders, self-medication should not be done to avoid negative consequences.
Bedbugs
In the world there are more than 50 thousand varieties of these insects. Due to their wide distribution, it is simply impossible to stay with bugs in the same apartment. They feed on the blood of children or women who have a thin skin. Sometimes bug bites are mistaken for manifestations of an allergy or mosquito bites.
How to relieve itching after an insect bite? When the parasite sucks blood, a person does not feel discomfort, because the bug "anesthetizes" the site of the bite. However, these creatures are very dangerous, because they are carriers of diseases such as plague, anthrax and smallpox.
To get rid of bedbugs an apartment, it must be disinfected. Sometimes colonies do not die immediately, so re-processing of the premises is required.
Tick bite
A tick usually bites a person for a walk in the forest or in the meadow. After returning home, people should inspect their clothing for parasites.
How to relieve itching from an insect bite? If a tick is found on the body, it is necessary:
- tweezers, trying not to pull, but to rotate counterclockwise, to remove the insect;
- after removal, inspect the wound and treat with alcohol;
- take an antihistamine medicine;
- Be sure to seek medical help.
If a tick is found on the human body, the parasite must be examined for carriage of encephalitis.
When children suffer
Very often children suffer from insect bites. After all, they have thin skin and active blood circulation. A bee or wasp can sting a baby if it steps on them.
A mosquito bite can contribute to the appearance of severe swelling and redness in children, which is more pronounced than in an adult.
How to relieve itching from insect bites in children? If the child was bitten by a stinging insect, do the following:
- remove the sting;
- apply cold;
- give an antihistamine;
- lubricate the affected area with Fenistil.
If there are many bites, then the child should be taken to a medical institution to provide assistance. If itching is felt on the skin, then it must be reduced by special means to avoid combing and getting into the wound of the infection.
How to relieve itching from an insect bite in a child at home? The main methods used for mosquito bites:
- mix baking soda with water in equal amounts and grease the wound;
- treat the bite site with ammonia diluted with water;
- treat the wound with peppermint paste.
When a child bites a blind horse, it is necessary to immediately wash it with laundry soap. Itching can also be reduced with drinking soda. Lotions are placed for a quarter of an hour, and then replaced with fresh ones.
How to correct the consequences of bites
Treatment depends on the symptoms. If there are slight swelling and pain, then it will be enough to apply ice or a cold lotion. You can treat the wound with laundry soap and try to refrain from combing it.
How to relieve itching from an insect bite? Antihistamines Zirtek, Suprastin, Tavegil are effectively used for therapy.
If bites by a person are difficult to carry, then an antianaphylactic package is used.
When an infection gets into the wound, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. In serious cases, droppers are used.
Ointments for insect bites
Ointments that relieve itching from insect bites are divided into hormonal and non-hormonal. The following can be distinguished:
- "Psilo-balm" helps to eliminate itching, redness and swelling of the skin. It has analgesic and cooling effect.
- "Vitaon" - a product containing plant components. The ointment can reduce itching, relieve inflammation and destroy germs.
- "Fenistil-gel" helps relieve itching from insect bites.
- "Sinaflan" is an ointment that can be used for bites, sunburns and dermatitis.
All of these ointments can significantly facilitate the well-being of a person with insect bites and eliminate the symptoms that have arisen.
When do I need help from a doctor?
You already know how to relieve itching from insect bites yourself. And if the bite causes not only normal redness, but negative feelings? In this case, you must urgently consult a doctor. After all, repeated manifestations can lead to anaphylactic shock.
Most often, the body's reaction manifests itself in the form of urticaria. If no other symptoms are detected, the doctor will simply prescribe antihistamines.
If the bite site is infected (hot tissues, a bright streak appears on the skin), then the help of a specialist is simply necessary.
When a patient has previously experienced severe reactions to insect bites, he must be urgently taken to a medical institution.
An ambulance is called if you have the following symptoms:
- hard breath;
- dyspnea;
- chest pain;
- lack of coordination;
- signs of infection.
After examining the patient, he is prescribed treatment aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms.
Prevention
To avoid the negative consequences that arise from insect bites, you must follow simple rules:
- Take into account their daily activity (mosquitoes are active in the dark).
- Avoid apiaries.
- Women going to nature should not use perfumes with floral aromas.
- When walking, wear long-sleeved clothing, tuck the shirt into trousers. This prevents insect bites.
- No need to wave your arms when approaching insects.
- While in nature, you need to examine yourself for the presence of ticks and other parasites.
- Going into the forest, you should not wear bright clothes so as not to attract insects with their appearance.
- Use repellents. They are applied not only to the skin, but also to the fabric. Even after washing, the product retains its properties.
- Mosquito nets, which can be used even for cots, can provide effective help.
- Mosquitoes respond to high blood cholesterol, so to prevent bites, you need to lower its performance.
Conclusion
When insect bites, it is necessary to understand that even a slight lesion can lead to anaphylactic shock. Effective measures should be taken to avoid negative consequences.